Dry-run a test-show in actual rehearsal for the rest of the players.

This would be the final step in what I consider to be a fully-prepared Ringleader. It seems like the most obvious one, right? It's also the most nerve-rattling. I mean, you're doing it for your peers. If you've managed to build up a good ensemble, then you care about what they think a lot more than you care about the audience anyway. And since the new Ringleader cares about them, it's likely their head is a-tumble with all the things their peers might be watching for.

There are two things the Ringleader needs to do.

1. Come to terms with the fact that it will not be perfect. Something will go wrong and that is okay.
2. The best thing the Ringleader can do is to put all that fear aside and do the test show full-tilt, as if no one was watching.

It's really one of those life moments.You know, the ones that you look back on and say, "Wow, I did that." I've seen a lot of performers and support teams sweat out the first full When I look back at the minor victories of my life, among them I see the first time I dry-ran a show for my peers as a Host. I have almost no memory of my first actual show for an audience, other than some of my peers came to support me.

If the Ringleader is prepared and the ensemble is there to witness, then the entire ensemble will gain confidence. So, in a way, all the steps prior to this last one are an unselfish series of events to help the group.